New Scientist Space Reports that Radar imaging by The MARS EXPRESS probe has discovered what appears to be Water Ice below the surface of the Red Planet.

The Ice was found in two regions of red planet’s northern hemisphere: the mid-latitude lowlands, otherwise known as Chryse Planitia and the northern polar cap. At the Northern Polar cap nearly pure Water Ice was found to stretch from just below the surface to a depth of nearly 1.8 kilometers.

The MARSIS antenna which made this stunning discoveries was first deployed in June of 2005 after a series of glitches. The radar imaging antenna operates by directing radio pulses towards the surface of Mars and then analysing the time delay and strength of the signals that bounce back. The radio waves that penetrate the surface rebound when they encounter a sub-surface boundary between materials with different electrical properties - such as rock and water.

Perhaps even more intersting is the possible presence of a gigantic 250-kilometre-wide Ice bowl which lies between 1.5 and 2.5 kilometres below the surface of Chryse Planitia. Needless to say, with confirmation of the presence on once huge oceans of water on Mars by the Rovers and the confirmation of Water Ice and possible subsurface Liquid Water, the (simple/basic) life on Mars debate may be readying to be reopened.

Click here to read this stunning story provided by New Scientist

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